The Gratitude Project: Week Eighteen

When I created this particular blog, the meaning behind its name was as true then, as it is today. 

Like most mothers, I acknowledge my life is beautiful; yet, with children, animals, and outside demands, my life can also get a little hectic. It can get a little messy, with laundry piling up, dishes in the sink (or on the counter), toys strewn haphazardly around the floor, dog fur blowing like tumbleweeds, and spills I haven’t yet discovered, still waiting to be wiped clean.

Throughout the monotonous, day-in/day-out routine, it’s all too easy to simply see nothing but the mess. It can be difficult with spit up down your shoulder and back, coffee down your shirt, and dirty hands and faces reaching for your clothes, to see the beauty in the ordinary.

And yet, that is exactly what God sees – He sees the tired, stressed, dirty mama as a beautiful princess!

Although she often fees she is failing at her work, God sees the work she is doing, as absolutely beautiful and radiant!

Naturally, this firm belief of mine, along with the idea by my chaplain, led to the birth of this particular series – “The Gratitude Project.” In an effort to recognize the beauty amidst the mess, it was (and is) important to begin to recognize what I am most grateful for among the messiness of my life – and, among the ordinariness of my life.

This past week, I was diagnosed with an Upper Respiratory Infection, courtesy of my five year old carrier monkey and his PreK class. That, among other things, has led me to survival mode – doing the absolute bare minimum to ensure my children are alive. 

The mess is alive and well, let me assure you. The laundry piled up, the dishes didn’t get washed (or put away), and when I wasn’t running badly needed errands or trips to school or the doctor’s office, I was a lump on the couch while the television served as my trusty babysitter.

However, in the midst of the mess (and misery), one theme stood out this week. 

I am grateful for the little moments in my life.

These aren’t the moments that would perhaps stand out to anyone else. But, they are “heart moments,” where my heart feels as though it will burst – with pride, with happiness, with sweetness.

For example, watching my two little kids with my head in my hands, as they take turns shooting a bouncy ball through a basketball net. Then, seeing my son pick his sister up so she gets a chance to put the ball legitimately into the basket. Repeating this over and over again.

The way one person goes out of their way to ensure another individual is given proper credit or attention for a job well done.

The moment where you find yourself looking at your spouse, and find yourself studying the face (or profile), and truly seeing, the goodness and love in the man or woman you married.

Another parent in public, suffering through a loud, unrelenting tantrum by their toddler. And, the only thought you have is to offer them a smile of support as you also quickly say a prayer of thanksgiving that, “At least it isn’t my kid – today/this moment!”

An extra thirty minutes of sleep at the end of a long day. Or, the extra five minutes of quietness between when your children fall asleep, and you fall asleep.

Our lives are full of little moments:

Little moments of light.

Little moments of love.

Little moments of beauty.

Little moments are easy to miss if we aren’t willing to look for them. But, they are there!

Our challenge should be to recognize when those moments appear, and then be able to acknowledge them for what they are – a little bit of beauty among our mess!

What about you? What are you most grateful for this week?

Until next week, dear reader…